The Runaway Bride (film)
| The Runaway Bride | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Donald Crisp[2] James Anderson (uncredited assistant) |
| Written by | Jane Murfin[1] |
| Produced by | William LeBaron[1] |
| Starring | Mary Astor Lloyd Hughes[1] |
| Cinematography | Leo Tover[1] |
| Edited by | Archie F. Marshek[1] |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | RKO Productions, Inc. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 69 minutes[3] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $103,000[4] |
| Box office | $204,000[4] |
The Runaway Bride is a 1930 American Pre-code comedy film starring Mary Astor, Lloyd Hughes and Paul Hurst. It was directed by Donald Crisp, from a screenplay by Jane Murfin, adapted from the play Cooking Her Goose by H. H. Van Loan and Lolita Ann Westman.[5]
The film is preserved in the Library of Congress collection.[6]
Plot
Mary Gray (Mary Astor) and Dick Mercer (David Newell) are racing to Atlantic City, where they intend to elope, since Mary's wealthy parents would never approve of the marriage. In Atlantic City, they arrive at the humble efficiency hotel room Mary has rented. Dick is not impressed, and would prefer they stay in a fancier hotel. An argument ensues, ending with Dick storming out, leaving Mary alone.
While waiting for Dick's return, a jewel thief, Red Dugan (Maurice Black), arrives at the hotel room, with a policeman, Sergeant Daly (Paul Hurst) in hot pursuit. Desperate, Dugan secretes a stolen necklace in Mary's purse, before being shot and killed by Daly, who is himself wounded in the gun battle.
A chambermaid at the hotel, Clara Muldoon (Natalie Moorhead), suspects that the jewels have been passed to Mary. The police pick up Mary, Dick and Clara, but Mary is released. Attempting to flee from both Dick and the police, Mary seeks a job as a cook under an assumed name at the home of the wealthy bachelor, George Blaine (Lloyd Hughes). While there, a mutual attraction begins to develop between Mary and George. Clara, and the rest of the thieves' gang, trace Mary to Blaine's house, and abduct her while they recover the stolen jewels.
The gang takes Mary to a fake hospital, where they hold her against her will. Blaine tracks Mary down and rescues her, just before the police arrive to arrest the jewel thieves.
Cast
- Mary Astor as Mary Gray / Sally Fairchild
- Lloyd Hughes as George Edward Blaine
- Paul Hurst as Sergeant Daly
- David Newell as Dick Mercer
- Natalie Moorhead as Clara Muldoon
- Edgar Norton as Williams
- Francis McDonald as Barney Black
- Maurice Black as 'Red' Dugan
Notes
Although Donald Crisp was a seasoned director of dozens of silent films, this was the only sound film that he ever directed.[7]
Reception
The film made a profit of $15,000.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "The Runaway Bride: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
{{cite web}}:|archive-url=is malformed: timestamp (help) - ^ "The Runaway Bride, Credits". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
- ^ "The Runaway Bride: Technical Details". theiapolis.com. Retrieved June 25, 2014.[dead link]
- ^ a b c Richard Jewel, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931-1951', Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p56
- ^ The AFI Catalog of Feature Films:The Runaway Bride
- ^ Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress p.156 c.1978 by The American Film Institute
- ^ "The Runaway Bride: Articles". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2014.